Self-Serving or Self Sacrificing

This week I have an exegetical paper due for a class at Westminster Seminary called Gospels ans Acts  . I have the priviledge of exegeting a text from Mark 10:35-45. I am learning more about this process as I take courses on biblical intrepretation, desiring to be a competent scholar in an effort to preach the Word of God. I pray for the help and counsel of the Holy Spirit to guide me in this endeavor. I realize, now more than ever, how challenging a task this is to complete: time spent in prayer asking for wisdom; reading the text carefully; and putting in the time to simply write.

One theme that is evident in the text is the way the disciples seek to have a place of honor before the Lord. Do they really know what they are asking? What drives them to this end? It is clear they desire a place of honor as they follow Christ, but their sinful reaction is to serve rather than to be served. We see this with Peter when Christ says that he must wash his feet, not the other way around. I am excited yet challenged by the project, and pray that I learn to trust in what C hrist has done. He alone took the wrath of God I deserve to give me new life in Him.  He who knew no sin became sin that I might have the righteousness  of God.

 

 

Reading Notes

This semester I have an assignment for Gospels and Acts, a course that surveys the Four Gospels and the book of Acts. Over the summer I worked on the Greek primer that helped reinforce basic aspects of the Greek language, however, I haven’t read as much that past year. And as a result, it has been harder to focus on the assignment. I am encouraged because I believe so firmly in the need to understand the biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew. It’s not an easy task for sure, but God has showed how important it is to be consistent in study. Regular, short intervals are better than longer study sessions with less frequency.

The semester is drawing near and I am excited in many ways, especially to study the Word at Westminster and to learn more about what it means to exegete the Word of God.

Let me schedule you in

In a world marked with Blackberries, Palm Pilots, and Google Calenders, time revolves around where we want to go and who we want to see. Planing out our schedules to such preciosion, it seems as though every waking moment is accounted for, and that true coumminacation becomes forced and impersonal. Like most of us we all have busy schedules and try to spin the plates without one or more of the plates tumbling to the ground. I recognize that I haven’t taken the time (go figure!) to really ask God for wisdom in being a good steward of His time.

Recently, i was asked by a friend to share my schedule, to give a brief overview of a typical day and where I go, including the time frame in which those activities take place. Work, seminary, the gym, church, etc. This was a hard task to do because I value time but in a way that makes more space or time for myself, often using the busyiness of my schedule as an excuse. This generation of people as well as the post WW2 generation serioiusly want to be connected with others, but there is a huge barrier to that: selfish ambition and schedules. Some of us may seem isolated and fail to reach out just as Christ died on the cross for His people that they may dwell together in unity. I’ve seen this tendency to withdrawal manifest itself in various ways, and even when I interact with others I sometimes feel alone. For one thing, I am reminded that this a lie, and that my focus on the Gospel is diverted towards functional messiahs that offer temporary comfort.  There is also an expectation imposed on others to fulfill that desire people have to connect with others as the Gospel shapes the cultus of the church. I’ve seen this happen quite frequently in my life with family and friends. In a way, I want them to take action, then I’ll gladly participate. This only begets a deleterious passivity that show no inititative. If I want to be a leader I must take a hold of that which Christ has taken hold of me. Instead of waiting for someone else to act, I pray that I’d show concern for others and engage in gospel converstation. Sometimes that may mean it might not begin as soon as I like, but that there lies within me a power that is fueled by the Holy Spirit.  Thanks be to God for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The unity of the church requires a wORD- centered and Gospel centered approach in which sinners submit to their Lord and KIng.

Discipleship

Recently I signed up for a prison ministry called Crossroads Bible Institute, a reformed outreach to inmates who are being exposed to the Gospel and are going through basics of Christianity. This ministry uses people to correct lessons the priosoners work through to help them grow in their relationship with Christ and also proclaim the gospel to them. I received my first lesson last week. I realized in many ways that I need this ministry just as much as the inmates. I need the gospel and the person and work of Christ to grow in holiness and to rest in His promises. I pray that this ministry will reach out to priosoners and encourge them to grow as disiples of Christ

I realize, though i am not in jail, that sin creates a bondage; it affects how I think and desires its own way rather than seeking Christ who frees me from the dominion of sin. Soren Kiergegard once quipped that man is dizzy in his freedom. Life may see like a series of repeated actions that actually enslave us. It is through Christ and the Gospel that ought to give a disicple freedom to live in the grace and mercy of God.

I pray for the inmates who are part of CBI, and may the Holy Spirit quicken their hearts to receive God’s free grace for the forgiveness of sins and to live a life worthy of the gospel.

2afi.jpg hosted at ImageShack.us

postcontent

Wisdom and Christian Liberty

A new series for chapel atWSC started this semester, and the topic of discussion and exposition is wisdom literature and Christian liberty. The book of Proverbs is a book rich with the warnings to avoid folly and to seek wisdom, as I believe, is summed up by Pro. 1:7, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord.”

It’s easy to look at the proverbs in a moralistic and legalistic framework. As we seek and proclaim Christ, we are reminded that our goal is to fear Him and obey His commandments, as per Ecc. 12:10.  Prof Van Ee exposited proverbs 20:1 in a clear and exciting way, which made me think about the dangers of alcohol abuse and how that intersects with Christiian liberty. Wine ia a mocker and beer is a brawler, and those led astray by them will not become wise. Not only are the immediate effects seen, but wisdom in the future is also ignored, even sometimes under the guise of Christian liberty.  The issue of alcohol consumption has been a hotly debated topic, and it has led to many a heated dispute within the church. In my walk with the Lord I have seen the temptation to swing between two extremes: a legalistic condemnation of drinking or an antinomian, lack of awarneness for the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts one of sin.

There have been times when I have been overwrought with guilt because I had a drink, and there have been times when I have overindulged while ignoring the Spirit’s prompting to examine my behavior and to repent of my excesses. It’s amazing that in both cases I end up loosing sight of Christ’s work on the cross and His promise of new life.  Using our liberty in Christ ought to be for His glory and kingdom. To neglect the care of a fellow believer for my own benefit is selfish; in fact, it puts my own interests above another.

There is a lot to consider about this issue, but I pray there will be spiritual discernment in how one uses their freedom in Christ. Whether one eats or drinks, may it be done for the glory of God.

MIA

Its been awhile since I blogged last, however, as I reflect on the summer, I praise God for His faithfulness and goodness. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, on a rescue mission to save sinners from their just punishment and to shower His love on recipients of his grace.  Work is a creation mandate. Since the garden, Adam had charge of tilling, naming, and working in God’s presence.

This summer Pro Golf Discount, a retail chain out of Seattle, decided to shut down operations in San Diego. As a result, I will be laid off this month. I harbored a lot of anger and resentment when I heard about the decision to close, selfishly wanting it not to happen because I deemed it a positive job while attending seminary. I was upset because I had a desire that turned into a demand, which in turn became a disapointment.  May I work as unto the Lord as PGD closes, and rejoice that God has provided another job.

Its good to be back at WSC.

Testimony: God’s Story or Our Story

Last week on the White Horse Inn, a weekly radio show on Reformed Theology, the panel of hosts led by Dr. Micheal Horton, discussed the issue of testimonies. The producer of the show went to a recent conference and asked a question: Do you you witness by talking about God’s story or your own story? It was surprising how many people answered, asserting that their testimonies are their persoanl experience and that people cannot take that away. There was only one response that testified to God’s work in redemption by sending His son to die on a cross for the forgiveness of sins and to redeem His people.

Indeed, their is often change when the Holy Spirit applies the truth of the Gospel to a sinners heart. Noless than a complete trun around from being a rebel sinner to now a child of God who rejioces in the truth of the Gospel. It just show that man, even when trying to share the Gospel, often put to much focus on themselves rather than the historical redemptive truth of God’s Word.

WHI is an amazing radio program, and I have benefitted from it a lot over the last three years.

First Year at WSC

Finals week is over at Westminster Seminary California and I am excited to have completed the first year of rigorous study in preparation for ministry. Its been a challenging year but I believe its vital to have this training to grow in this call to pursue an MDiv degree. I haven’t blogged in awhile due to the workload but I am compelled to write about the experience thus far to reflect on the year and to see the Gospel worked out in life and ministry. He who knew no sin became sin that He may present His people before God, granting them imputed righteouness and access to the father. I pray that God’s Word is preached faithfully  and humbly because it is easy to forget what He has done in Christ Jesus- to redeem His people.

Eye of the Tiger

Tiger Woods made his return to the PGA Tour today and appears to have a renewed vigor for playing after his 8 month rehab from a torn acl. As an golfer, I appreciate his commitment to play, and it reminds me of the Apostle Paul when he talks about training as to win the prize. It’s amazing how distracted i can get from what is important, namely growing in the work and person of Jesus Christ. Press on toward the goal heavenward.